Why should I upgrade to premium?

[+DuckTape747]

Hi, I'm new here. Why should i upgrade to premium if I can see all the premium caches on my map or the google earth extension anyway? Is it just for the descriptions?

[+kunarion]

Hi, I'm new here. Why should i upgrade to premium if I can see all the premium caches on my map or the google earth extension anyway? Is it just for the descriptions?

You are a Premium Member. Here's a list of benefits:

 

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=175

 

1.1. Benefits of Geocaching Premium

 

[updated September 2012]

 

A Geocaching Premium Membership provides you with many additional features that a basic membership does not provide. Whether you go geocaching every day or only occasionally, many useful tools are available to enhance your geocaching experience.

 

1.Pocket Queries (Custom Search and Bulk Downloads): Custom Search: Use Pocket Queries to specify desired locations, geocache types, terrain ratings, and many more geocache details. Bulk Downloads: Download geocache details for up to 1000 geocaches at a time to your GPS device using Pocket Queries.

 

2.Premium Geocaches: Access thousands of additional geocaches not available to Basic members. Premium Member Only geocaches are placed and found exclusively for Geocaching Premium members.

 

3.Group geocaches into bookmark lists: Organize geocaches into lists that can be accessed on your profile page and downloaded to your GPS device.

 

4.Trip Planner (a.k.a. Geocaches Along a Route): Input your destination and Geocaching.com will tell you which geocaches are along the way.

 

5.Instant Notifications: Be the first to find a geocache when you receive Instant Notifications about newly published geocaches via email or SMS.

 

6.Favorites: Sort search results by most 'Favorited' listings and award Favorite Points to the best geocaches you've found. Read our Favorites FAQ.

 

7.Select your Map Provider: Choose from providers including Google Maps, MapQuest, and OpenStreetMap when using the advanced map.

 

8.Filter geocaches: Choose which geocache types display on the map or remove your hides and finds from the display using Geocaching Premium filtering tools. You can also view your saved custom searches (Pocket Queries) and create new Pocket Queries on the map.

 

9.Über Statistics: With Geocaching Premium Statistics, you can view graphs and other dynamic 'info-graphics' related to your geocaching history. Use the stats to mark milestones and track progress. View others' profiles to see how your game compares to friends and family.

 

10.Paperless geocaching: With Geocaching Premium and a paperless geocaching compatible GPS device, you can view complete geocache descriptions, recent logs, and any hints provided on the geocache details page directly on your GPS device.

 

11.Access to the Geocaching Live API: Enjoy full access to the Geocaching.com database of geocaches through partner applications and websites using the Geocaching Live API.

 

12.Access to all Groundspeak websites: Gain access to all premium features and tools at Geocaching.com, Waymarking.com, and Wherigo.com.

 

13.Audit Logs: See a list of users who have viewed your Premium Member Only geocaches.

 

14.LOVE! Support the development and maintenance of the Geocaching.com site.

Edited May 1, 2016 by kunarion

[+MtnMutt-ProDuckShins]

Don't upgrade!

 

Think of all the fun you'll be missing while you write down all the coords for a trip & then manually loading each one into your GPSr. Then there is the printing of each Cache description so you can carry a ton of paper.

 

Just think of all the time wasted & recyclable paper.

 

Just kidding aside, the Premium Membership is well worth it, unless you enjoy doing the above.

[+speakers-corner]

Your Profile Shows that you are a premium member which meens you can see all the premium Caches etc. Kunarion has listed all of the benefits of being a premium member. All I can say is enjoy the game and have fun.

[RuideAlmeida]

Hi, I'm new here. Why should i upgrade to premium if I can see all the premium caches on my map or the google earth extension anyway? Is it just for the descriptions?

 

You can ask any volunteer for a free monthly Premium Membership, and judge by yourself.

[Pup Patrol]

Hi, I'm new here. Why should i upgrade to premium if I can see all the premium caches on my map or the google earth extension anyway? Is it just for the descriptions?

 

You can ask any volunteer for a free monthly Premium Membership, and judge by yourself.

 

The OP needs to log out of the forum and back in for it to catch up to the fact that he IS a PM.

 

Geocaching profile is up-to-date...the forum software is not connected to it, so the forum is out-of-date.

 

B.

[+cerberus1]

Hi, I'm new here. Why should i upgrade to premium if I can see all the premium caches on my map or the google earth extension anyway? Is it just for the descriptions?

Well, by your profile, you are a premium member.

If you weren't, and still basic, though you can see them (even pmo at certain zoom levels), those "advanced" caches as well as pmo wouldn't be accessible by yourself if using the Groundspeak app.

[+diamonddolljeanette]

How do you sign up for the SMS new alerts?

[Luckless]

I signed up for premium membership because I made a cache that took a lot of trouble to make. I didn't want to see it go missing very fast and thought it might stay around a little longer if it was premium. Since then I also placed a premium cache in an area that required people to be respectful of the property in the hopes that premium members, who were more apt to be seasoned cachers, would be more careful than nonpremium beginner cachers. (Of course I don't know whether that will make any difference. Guess I'll see.)

[+Path Pacer]

This website isn't free. If you enjoy this hobby, it makes sense to support it financially, otherwise you're just mooching off those who are paying an annual fee.

[+T.D.M.22]

How do you sign up for the SMS new alerts?

 

You can't. What you can do is go to https://www.geocaching.com/notify/ and you can select to receive email notifications for a variety times, including new caches and events. I use Gmail and have a Gmail app on my phone. I get notified soon as it's published. You can use your favourite email service. Or most (if not all) cell carriers have an email to text. Something similar to yournumber@phonecartier.com But it may limit message length so links may not come in complete and you won't be able to view them.

[+Manville Possum]

This website isn't free. If you enjoy this hobby, it makes sense to support it financially, otherwise you're just mooching off those who are paying an annual fee.

 

Don't forget about the Waymarking site, we keep the lights on there too from our support here as PM's.

[+TerraViators]

It's this simple. It's just like OPAIs in insurance. You need to upgrade to Premium membership as early as possible, so that you have the Option to Purchase Additional levels as you age. You'll never reach Platinum membership if you first do not upgrade to Premium, not to mention the Minority Reporting of new geocaches. You'll know they exist days before the reviewers know they exist which gives you a heads up on FTFs. Speaking of FTFs, you become eligible for the real FTFs, not the ones reserved for the common man on geocaching.com, but the preferred status FTFs on Groundspeak's geocaching-platinum.com dark site.

[+bflentje]

It's this simple. It's just like OPAIs in insurance. You need to upgrade to Premium membership as early as possible, so that you have the Option to Purchase Additional levels as you age. You'll never reach Platinum membership if you first do not upgrade to Premium, not to mention the Minority Reporting of new geocaches. You'll know they exist days before the reviewers know they exist which gives you a heads up on FTFs. Speaking of FTFs, you become eligible for the real FTFs, not the ones reserved for the common man on geocaching.com, but the preferred status FTFs on Groundspeak's geocaching-platinum.com dark site.

 

Contributing to the moral decay of our society. Do not listen to this post as its bunk.

Edited May 2, 2016 by bflentje

[+Manville Possum]

It's this simple. It's just like OPAIs in insurance. You need to upgrade to Premium membership as early as possible, so that you have the Option to Purchase Additional levels as you age. You'll never reach Platinum membership if you first do not upgrade to Premium, not to mention the Minority Reporting of new geocaches. You'll know they exist days before the reviewers know they exist which gives you a heads up on FTFs. Speaking of FTFs, you become eligible for the real FTFs, not the ones reserved for the common man on geocaching.com, but the preferred status FTFs on Groundspeak's geocaching-platinum.com dark site.

 

Contributing to the moral decay of our society. Do not listen to this post as its bunk.

 

Yes, please don't be telling people about the geocaching-platinum.com dark site. That is reserved for us elite members only.

[+TerraViators]

It's this simple. It's just like OPAIs in insurance. You need to upgrade to Premium membership as early as possible, so that you have the Option to Purchase Additional levels as you age. You'll never reach Platinum membership if you first do not upgrade to Premium, not to mention the Minority Reporting of new geocaches. You'll know they exist days before the reviewers know they exist which gives you a heads up on FTFs. Speaking of FTFs, you become eligible for the real FTFs, not the ones reserved for the common man on geocaching.com, but the preferred status FTFs on Groundspeak's geocaching-platinum.com dark site.

 

Contributing to the moral decay of our society. Do not listen to this post as its bunk.

 

This is exactly the type of misdirection a Platinum member uses in attempt to keep a man down.

[+cheech gang]

I've noticed the geocaching-platinum.com site does not require auto-renewal.

[+on4bam]

I've noticed the geocaching-platinum.com site does not require auto-renewal.

 

That's because it's invitation only (after thorough screening, that is).

[+noncentric]

I've noticed the geocaching-platinum.com site does not require auto-renewal.

 

That's because it's invitation only (after thorough screening, that is).

I got my invitation via email, but the email had a lot of typos and I had to send money to another country via Western Union in order to reserve my screening appointment. I'm currently waiting to hear back about when my interview will happen with the eldery King. They say that I'm related to him and that I'm in line for a large inheritance when he dies.

 

[+colleda]

I've noticed the geocaching-platinum.com site does not require auto-renewal.

 

That's because it's invitation only (after thorough screening, that is).

I got my invitation via email, but the email had a lot of typos and I had to send money to another country via Western Union in order to reserve my screening appointment. I'm currently waiting to hear back about when my interview will happen with the eldery King. They say that I'm related to him and that I'm in line for a large inheritance when he dies.

 

 

That one's a con. I'm waiting to hear back for my interview when the Frog dies.